Martey’s double on Barnes’ return

By DAVID DOONAN

Barnes…33

LI Wild Geese 14

TWO tries from Robbie Martey helped Barnes make the perfect start to life in National Two South as they secured a comprehensive win over London Irish Wild Geese. It was Irish who started the game the strongest, however, as Josh Amadi opened the scoring for the visiting side in the second minute of the contest.

Barnes responded quickly, first through Martey, who burst through in midfield to level things before Andrew Scott received the ball down the line to score on the half-hour, Robbie Wicks converting both to make the halftime score 14-7.

The home side continued their dominance in the second period, making the perfect start as Rupert Crossland scored under the posts in the 41st minute.

Martey then crossed for the second time after intercepting a wayward pass not long after to all but wrap up the win.

Loose Barnes defence then allowed Irish a glimmer of hope as Sean Cunningham dotted down to make the score 26-14 with 15 minutes remaining to pull off an unlikely comeback.

But that was enough time for Barnes to reassert their dominance, with Tom O’Toole adding the finishing touches to a slick move after a concerted attack, with Wicks again converting.

TEAMS

BARNES: O’Toole, Martey, Adams, Holmes, Scott, Wicks, Matthews, Hunter, Strachan, Boaden, Steele, Collins, Hind, Van der Poel, Crossland

Replacements: Ryan, Symonds, Nimmo, Smyth, Morgan

LONDON IRISH WILD GEESE: Owen, Gomez, Henry, Cunningham, Amadi, Englefield, U’Chong, Henshaw, Townsend, Paul, Haggett, Hobbins, Mackay, Keheli, Moore

Replacements: Ajuchi, Burman, Atkins, Knight, Montgomery.

REFEREE: Jack Sutton

ATTENDANCE: 250

Star man

Jamie Collins – Barnes